i'm looking at this used 545i series several days ago. this car is a 04 model with only 21,500 miles on it! i already checked carfax and everything came out prestine clean, i.e. one owner, no accidents, clean title, and even the one and only routine maintenance schedule indicates the same mileage. are there any way possible that mileage can be tampered with?

 

I believe cars lessed complex as BMWs and their computers have tamper-proof mileage readers. BMW must have software in their that sends a red flag if something is tampered with that shouldn't be. But then again, I could be wrong. Maybe looking at the wear on the engine might help?

 

If the e60 mileage indicators are similar in design to the e36s, possibly ????? On my e36 the instrument cluster was replaced 7 years ago at 79,000 miles. (maximum illumination tends to burn out the circuitry) My mileage with the new cluster now reads only around 49,000. My car still has a dealer installed paper sticker near the tire pressure information inside the driver's side door bay to indicate the mileage when the cluster was replaced. It can easily be removed. I would carefully check dealer maintenance and state registration (i.e. emission tests) records to see if there are any inconsistencies in the mileage.

 

Milage is typically stored in three different spots for these cars, I'm not 100% sure for the e60's if this holds true but it's been a part of BMW's design. In my e46 M3 the instrument panel stores milage, the two remote control keys and typically the light control module (LKM). If milage is changed they can check any one of these items and figure it out because it's incremental. Meaning that if the instrument panel was reset the LKM and keys will continue to record the original milage.

 

wow.very informative thread.thx.

Can all 3 placed be tampered?

 

+1 about the keys! If they haven't been replaced they're another possible source of information, thanks.

 

Are the tires original?
With only 21k miles, should be signs that car is either legit... or not. Look for signs of wear on seats, floor mats, brake pedal, etc.

I would think that someone wanted to tamper with the mileage, they wouldn't just turn it back 10k miles.

 

An 04 model with 21k miles is not so unheard of. I only have 29k on mine. Actually, there was another member "5er Sport" who used to have 25k miles on his before he traded it in for a Mercedes last year. Good luck!

 

I sold my 545 last nov with 22k on the clock. I picked up my car in Dec 2004